Brockenhurst Match Report

Chulmleigh vs Brockenhurt (h), 27th April 2013

Like Holmes and Watson, Chulmleigh returned home from Dartmoor triumphant and extended their unbeaten start with an efficient victory over New Forest tourists, Brockenhurst. The visitors batted first and found the pace of our pitch a puzzle, confronted by the guile of new ball pair Bradheimann and Tim Shapland, both at their niggardly best. Andrew’s five overs gave up just six runs and Tim removed an opener and becalmed the other. Tom Spence (3-31) mixed the good, the bad and the ugly, bowling Kilsby with a beauty, but was set upon by Pearson. AJ (2-36) suffered in the icy easterly breeze as Brockenhurst pushed the accelerator but after he dismissed Pearson (40) to the quietest lbw shout since an Under 9 game two years ago and with middle order hollowed out, the visitors had to consolidate rather than accelerate. Danny (1-13) bowled parsimoniously and Tim (3-9 in 8 overs) completed his master class with two further bamboozlements. Kevin Davies got lift. There was just time for Under 13, Sam Clark to bowl O’Sullivan as Brockenhurst were wrapped up for 137 at tea (note, we do need to bowl more than 36 overs in two and a half hours). A debut tea by the Davies family was gratefully consumed, with the nasty niff in the kitchen also neutralised, and identified as a rogue bucket.

Chulmleigh got off on the wrong foot, Tom Gidney bowled driving down Piccadilly with the ball going down Bakerloo. Bradheimann and Gidders were first watchful, knowing a small total was reachable with wickets in hand. O’Sullivan’s change up ball was propelled with a suspect action that needed attention, confirmed by photographic evidence. Then as if by magic, Gidders ingestion of steroids at tea kicked in with an unusual Gayle-like flourish, one of two sixes clearing the tractor shed. Spectators rubbed their eyes. A possible raised foot saw him stumped for 29, though we were already almost half way home. Andrew’s patient 24 ended soon after, but Martin Campling (25) batted sensibly with the clock and Greg” Corporal Jones” Spence (Don’t panic!) steered the ball into vacant gaps. Kevin Davies hit a couple of timely blows and we crossed the line with two overs and five wickets in hand, the Corporal appropriately applying the coup de grace before delivering cCaptain Mainwaring’s sausages. A very satisfying five wicket win for our new match captain Danny Parcell and his team, hard work from AJ and Greg in preparing the pitch rewarded, before we warmed up over flaming Sambuca in the Court House.